DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Province of Flemish Brabant highlights Brabant draught horse in Kampenhout: "Interest is fortunately growing again"

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The province of Flemish Brabant is highlighting the Brabant draught horse at an event in Kampenhout.
  • The event aims to increase interest in the breed, showcasing its historical and ongoing role in agriculture and community life.
  • Visitors can learn about breeding, care, and participate in activities like wagon rides and demonstrations, with similar events planned in other locations.

The province of Flemish Brabant is drawing attention to the Brabant draught horse, a symbol of living heritage, through an Open Stallion Day event in Kampenhout.

Since a while, there is again more interest in our draught horses.

— Event organizerCommenting on the renewed public interest in the Brabant draught horse.

The event offers visitors a chance to learn about the breed, which has deep ties to the landscape and traditions of Flemish Brabant. Organizers aim to demonstrate the continued relevance of these horses in modern agriculture and community activities. The province is actively promoting these Open Stallion Days to bring the draught horses closer to the public, and early signs suggest growing interest.

Attendees at the Kampenhout event can engage in various activities, including wagon rides pulled by the horses, learning about the breeding process, and daily care routines. Demonstrations, such as a log-pulling competition, are also featured. The event includes interactive elements like a hobby horse course and "farmer's golf" played with horseshoes, alongside opportunities to see the horses up close.

We just rode with the floating carpet, which is pulled by 2 draught horses. It is the 1st time that we come here and it is really a must-recommend.

— CelineA visitor sharing her positive experience at the event.

Visitors expressed enthusiasm for the event. Celine, attending with her young son, described the wagon ride as a "must-recommend." Marleen, who works as a home helper but keeps draught horses as a hobby, praised their gentle nature and impressive physique. She noted a resurgence in interest in the breed, with them reappearing in local areas and evoking nostalgic memories for older residents.

The Brabant draught horse is gentle and calm. It also has a beautiful physique.

— MarleenA hobbyist expressing admiration for the breed.

Anja Decoster from the Stoeterij van de Mussenhoek, which hosts the event, mentioned that this is their second year holding an Open Stallion Day and that they care for eight draught horses as a hobby. The province plans further events at other stud farms, including one in Dilbeek on August 16 and another in Vollezele on September 13, continuing their effort to reconnect people with the Brabant draught horse.

The interest in the draught horses is fortunately growing again since a while.

— MarleenObserving the increasing popularity of the Brabant draught horse.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog